Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Several Articles of Interest

Several Articles of Interest

Several months ago I was asked by the lovely Martha Joy who blogs over at The Father's Kingdom , to write an article for her June issue on the subject of "Being A Submissive Daughter". Be sure to go check it out! 

Then, I'm not sure if my readers are aware of the fact, but I have several other blogs that I write on. Texas Rebel Girl is my main blog of course, but I do have a couple others that I post on from time to time. So whether I feel like blogging about ranch life, or something completely silly and completely ridiculous, there is always a place for it. Head over to my blog Dwarven Diaries, to read my latest post: "A Writer's Life For Me!"

I promise I'll catch you all up on the goings on around the ranch, but in my defense my blogger account has been having issues and wouldn't let me post, grrr. We finally figured out that I had exceeded my photo limit upload, so now I'm having to upload my images to Photobucket, so bare with me.

Blessings - 

~ Aspen

Thursday, July 24, 2014

The Little Red Hen




 The Little Red Hen


Several days ago on a hot afternoon I went out to check everyone's water. The day before I'd propped some plastic tubs up against the runs that are connected to the Poultry Building, well they had blown over so I went to pick them up and to my horror found several black chickens and Little Red Hen underneath one! Poor Little Red Hen was sprawled out on the ground, dying from heat exhaustion! I quickly snatched her up and put her in a bowl of freshly filled cold water. I let her soak in it while I finished watering. Then I took her back to the house with me and laid her in the shade underneath the porch, on the porch swing. She laid there for the better part of the afternoon in the cool drinking some water every now and again. I never expected her to make it, to be honest. I've seen too many chickens die of heat exhaustion, and she had all the symptoms of it. However she proved us all wrong and the next morning I went out to find her bright eyed and bushy tailed! After a hearty breakfast, she was back on her feet, like nothing had ever happened. She has now resigned herself to sleeping on the back of the porch chairs at nighttime, digging giant holes in the flower beds (I'm convinced she's digging to China!!), scratching in the raised beds, pooping all over the front porch, begging for treats at the window while we work on our computers, and last but not least, being underfoot all the time.


One of her many daily activities:


Now, this is wholly unrelated to The Little Red Hen's story, but for convenience's sake I'm posting it along side her story.

A couple days after Little Red Hen's incident, her boyfriend, Lil' Don got harassed by these two bad boys: 


I found him hiding inside the coop, too scared to even come out to eat or drink. He therefore got brought up to the yard as well.


His favorite napping (and snacking) spot:


At night I find them both snuggled up together on the porch chair:


A pretty bush that is blooming lovely flowers at the moment. I keep expecting to walk out there and find a little fairy asleep inside the petals. Me, odd? Nah!




 Lil' Don has fully recovered from his traumatic experience and has joined his girl in ruling the front yard. They keep Rusty and Mother Duck (post coming up on that soon) in check, eat Rusty's dogfood, nap by the front door, follow you around the yard while you are working, tripping you because they are constantly underfoot, and the list goes on.


For laughs, Little Red Hen staring down a piece of grass:


Have you ever had a near-death experience with an animal, but were able to save them in the nick of time? 

Blessings - 

~ Aspen

Saturday, July 19, 2014

DIY: Toilet Paper *Decorations*

DIY: Toilet Paper Decorations



Yes, I admit it. I've become quite obsessed with making toilet paper roll decorations. In fact, if you were to walk in my room you would find them hot glued all over my walls. I hoard toilet paper, paper towel rolls and anything else of that nature. I'm one of those people who doesn't like to throw away anything that might be re-purposed or recycled. 
Whilst browsing on Pinterest one day I came across these and just had to try making some for myself, and as you can see, it's kind of gotten out of hand! But, whatever; I know you are intrigued and would like to fill your room up to the brim with these cute decories!! (Yes, I totally just came up with that word!)


You will need:
  • toilet paper roll(s)
  • scissors
  • glue (you can use Elmer's glue or hotglue, your choice)
How to make them is pretty self-explanatory, but I'll try my best to describe the " how-to's " to ya.
 Step one, press your rolls until they are somewhat flat, next cut them them into the size/width you want. I found one toilet paper roll will make about 6 evenly sized pieces. So cut accordingly, you don't want off-shaped pieces if you can help it.

Now, all your pieces are cut out, decide how you want to arrange them. Once you decided what decorative arrangement to make, get two pieces, put glue on ones' tip and place them together, if you're using Elmer's glue like I was, you'll have to hold them together for a minute until they stick. Continue gluing until your finished. Voila! How simply is that?


 I started with pretty simple designs, but soon got overly creative with them.


Before I found this lovely basket to hold all my crafty supplies, I had toilet paper "petals" all over my room, glue everywhere, paint on the floor, string on the floor...you get the picture, this craft basket helps keep all my things in one spot. I suggest having something similar, even if you're just using it for toilet paper (hoarding) purposes. ;)


There has been several times where I had this great idea for a tp (<toilet paper) design, started making it, then half way through I decided to change it again! This is one of those creations..that now resides on my door.


You can get even more fancy with these, if you like and attach trinkets such as these:


I picked these up at a garage sale for just a few dollars. 


Lots of other ideas on how to decorate these are floating around in my head, so get creative! I'm sure you'll find some darling ways to decorate and make these!


 If you make some toilet paper decorations of your own, please share! I'd love to see them!!


Get creative ^*peeps^*!!



Blessings - 

~ Aspen

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Quinoa Brownies

Quinoa Brownies

photo credit


Several weeks ago I needed several new yummy and exciting recipes to take on a trip. I decided to try these Quinoa Brownies, courtesy of A Nourished Family 

I couldn't believe how much healthy goodness was packed into these tiny little brownies! If you are a health nut like myself, I highly recommend you try these little boogers! 

Quinoa Brownies

  • 1 cup Cooked Quinoa
  • 1⁄4 cup Rolled Oats
  • 1⁄2 cup Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Maple Syrup
  • 2⁄3 cups Coconut Sugar
  • 3 tablespoonsButter
  • 1⁄2 cup Butternut Squash Puree
  • 1⁄3 cup Vanilla Almond Milk (or regular + 1 tsp vanilla)
  • 2 tablespoons Cocoa Powder
  • 4 tablespoons Ground Flax
  • 1 cup Dark Chocolate chips (make sure to use vegan choc chips if you are strictly vegan)
  •  
  •  
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook butternut squash - either over the stovetop or in the microwave. (I cooked mine in the microwave -- added 1/3 cup water and microwaved for 4 minutes. Then drained). Add almond milk to the cooked butternut squash, and then puree with an immersion blender. Add all ingredients into a medium mixing bowl.Spray a 9x9 glass baking pan with non-stick spray. Pour in the brownie batter and cook for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.Enjoy with a glass of almond milk! (optional)
 
Blessings - 
 
~ Aspen

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Pinspiration For My Future Dwelling Place

Pinspiration For My Future Dwelling Place

If you've been following me on Pinterest then you've probably been seeing a-lot of things like this:



and this:


and that:


and some of these:


and perhaps a couple of those:


For the longest time I never really though I had a "style", and if I did it certainly wasn't anything worth blogging about. I've always been the more outdoorsy person and even on occasion, a tom-boy. From a young age I was much more interested in getting covered in dirt and playing with my brothers, than I was getting "dressed pretty" by my big 'sis (just ask her....).

It's been a gradual thing, but over the recent years I've been thinking more and more on my future life and home...and I'm pleased to say I have a "theme" in mind for my future habitation! Would you care to take a look? . . .



Now, keep in mind as you look through these pictures that I am not your normal girl...lets continue with the house tour, shall we? Of course we shall!

I've  a l w a y s  admired the dwelling places of J.R.R. Tolkien's hobbit's houses.

~ Hobbit Holes ~


They have such an earthy, rustic, primitive feel to them. Just up my alley!


I've always loved nature, and what better way to be connected with it than to be living in this kind of enviroment? 


This type of house is very appealing to me, and has many benefits.


It fits with the type of lifestyle I want perfectly.  

Entryway:

I love the idea of walking through your door and there being a place to hang up your coat, hat, and slip off your dirty footwear. 

I'm liking this style here, but without the purple paint of course.



Hallway:

 
Adore this hallway, plain and simply!


Bathroom:



Very simply and primitive, nothing too fancy.


I've always wanted a chandelier, and how can you beat one made out of mason jars?! 


As you've seen, I like wood...just a scosh. 

 I would love to have a setup like this in my house/yard:



Living room:

  A stove is a must, along with lots of comfy chairs that are convenient to curl up in with a good book while sitting by the warm hearth.






 Kitchen:

If you ask me, the kitchen (at least from a women's point of view because she has to be in it 24/7, and a man's point of view because that's where all the food is made) is the most important room in the entire house.

I would be spending a lot of time in it and therefore I want it to be an enjoyable and place to be.


Love, Love, LOVE the idea of hanging your kitchen things up and off your counter/cabinet space.

A bar with stools is just lovely. Lots of counter space to work is a must. 



I've decided I want to fill my cabinets with adorable mugs like these:


...and silver dishes. No plastic for this girl! Everything will be metal, glass, or wood.


A pantry would be splendid and extremely useful for storing canned goods, herbs/spices, bulk flours/grains/, etc/


Tons of cabinets and shelves:


A strong sturdy table is a must.


A decent sized wood cook stove:


 And there you have it, a small tour of the ideas that are floating around in my mind (and my Pinterest board(s) for my future Hobbit Hole!

If you would like to see more Pinspirational ideas, visit My Hobbit Hole board, my Crafty board, and lastly my Middle Earthy room board. Happy pinning!


What kind of lodging do you have in mind for yourself? I'd love to hear! 




 Blessings - 

~ Aspen